The BEST Cilantro Lime Rice – made with just 5 ingredients and ready in 30 minutes or less. A bright, fresh side dish that instantly elevates any meal!
If you’ve ever been to Chipotle, you know just how life-changing Cilantro-Lime Rice can be. It’s light, fluffy, and flavor-packed… and it makes an absolutely delicious side dish or addition to your favorite burrito or taco bowl.
It’s the kind of rice you want with your refried beans, and exactly the recipe you need to round out your Mexican fiesta menu (along with the guacamole and salsa, of course.) And it’s seriously SO easy to make at home!
It requires just 5 ingredients and almost no prep, and it’s ready in 30 minutes or less. So you can focus on the rest of dinner… and enjoy a margarita while you’re at it!
what you’ll love about this recipe
Delicious flavor: You’ll LOVE the cilantro lime flavor combo! The two ingredients blend together perfectly, with the tangy citrus of the lime balancing out the strong herbal taste of the cilantro. Need proof? Try my Cilantro Lime Sauce or my Cilantro Lime Slaw!
Chipotle copycat: It tastes just like Chipotle rice… only better! Not only because you can guarantee fresh ingredients, but because you can adjust the seasonings according to your tastes!
Easy to make: This recipe is made with just 5 ingredients and requires 5 minutes of hands-on time… and it instantly elevates all your favorite dinners. And… it’s gluten free!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Rice – I used 2 cups of long grain rice in this cilantro rice recipe. You can use Basmati, Jasmine, White Long Grain, or Brown Long Grain rice depending on your preference. [See the differences below.]
Garlic – I added 2 large cloves of minced garlic for extra flavor. I would always suggest using fresh garlic, but you can substitute 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder in a pinch.
Olive oil – I used 2 Tablespoons of olive oil to sauté the garlic. You can also substitute another type of oil, such as avocado or canola.
Salt – 1 teaspoon of salt seasons the rice and brings out the flavors of the cilantro and lime. (Feel free to use more or less according to preference.)
Cilantro – I added 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro for maximum flavor. You can add less if you’d like.
Limes – Be sure to pick up fresh limes for this recipe, because you’ll be using both the juice and zest. I added 3 Tablespoons of lime juice and 2 Tablespoons of lime zest for a bright, citrusy flavor.
how to make cilantro lime rice
Sauté the garlic, rice & olive oil. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan or pot. Add the minced garlic and uncooked rice; sauté over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant, stirring often.
Add water & boil. Add 3 cups of water (or chicken broth) and a pinch of salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, according to package instructions.
Add cilantro, lime & salt. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Recipe Variations
- Use any type of long grain rice (basmati, jasmine, white long grain or brown long grain)
- Use chicken broth or vegetable in place of water
- Add additional garlic according to taste
- Add 1 cup chopped onion and sauté with the garlic
- Use a combination of fresh lime and lemon juice
- Substitute fresh parsley, mint, or basil if you don’t like the taste of cilantro
- Make it spicy with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper
What type of rice to use?
Basmati – Basmati is a long grain rice with a distinctively nutty aroma and flavor. When cooked, basmati rice is fluffy and dry, not sticky. It’s commonly used in biryani or pilaf.
Jasmine – Jasmine is a long grain rice that develops a floral aroma and a moist, soft, slightly sticky texture when cooked. It’s commonly used in curry and stir fry dishes.
White Long Grain – White Long Grain rice has a mild flavor and is the most common rice used in traditional American recipes, such as stuffing, bowls, casseroles, and rice pilaf. It has a light, fluffy texture when cooked.
Brown Long Grain – Brown Long Grain rice is the same as white long grain rice, but with the outer hull still intact. It has a nuttier, chewier texture than white rice and takes longer to cook.
what to serve with cilantro lime rice
This rice is a popular side dish for any of your favorite Mexican dishes. We love it with these recipes:
- Loaded Tostadas
- Creamy Chicken Flautas
- Chicken Tacos
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos
- Chicken Chimichangas
- Blackened Shrimp Tacos
- Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Cilantro Lime Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups water
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan or pot. Add the minced garlic and uncooked rice; sauté over medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant, stirring often.
- Add 3 cups of water (or chicken broth) and a pinch of salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, according to package instructions.
- Remove from heat and stir in cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, and 1 teaspoon salt.
Notes
Recipe Variations
- Use any type of long grain rice (basmati, jasmine, white long grain or brown long grain)
- Use chicken broth or vegetable in place of water
- Add additional garlic according to taste
- Add 1 cup chopped onion and sauté with the garlic
- Use a combination of fresh lime and lemon juice
- Substitute fresh parsley, mint, or basil if you don't like the taste of cilantro
- Make it spicy with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper